October 20, 2016

Senate Passes North-East Development Commission Bill

The Senate has passed the bill seeking the establishment of North East Development Commission to rebuild the North East region of Nigeria ravaged by Boko Haram insugency.

The bill passed on Thursday after earlier disagreements over funding sources and headquarters.

Senate approved the allocation of 3 percent of Value Added Tax accrual to the Federal Government in the next 10 years for the rebuilding of the North East through the proposed commission.The report on the commission was laid by Murtala Nyako (APC-Adamawa), chairman of committee on special duties.

In his remark after the bill was passed, Senate President Bukola Saraki said, “With this commission, I hope we can collaborate and address humanitarian crisis and challenges in the North East.”

According to PT, Senate will transfer the bill to the House of Reps for concurrence before forwarding it to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

If it scales through in the House, the commission will have its headquarters in Borno State, worst hit by Boko Haram terrorism.

Senator Nyako said, “I am truly elated at the passing of the NEDC bill today by the 8th Assembly of the Federation. Today marks the beginning of a new future for the North East and the vision of its restoration shall now soon be a reality.”